Report and free match highlights as Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Premier League action inspired Man City to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory at Newcastle; the Belgium international grabbed a goal and an assist in 25 minutes on the pitch as City came back from 2-1 down in second half
Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to Premier League action with a goal and an assist as Manchester City came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory at Newcastle.
With City trailing 2-1, the Belgium midfielder, who played in the league for the first time since injuring his hamstring on the opening day of the season, came on in the 69th minute and took just four minutes and 34 seconds to make an impact, grabbing the equaliser with a fine finish past Martin Dubravka.
He wasn’t done there as the 32-year-old’s magical pass set up Oscar Bobb’s injury-time winner (90+1) as City broke Newcastle hearts and snatched all three points at St James’ Park.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who lost Ederson to injury in the eighth minute, put a difficult start to the game behind them as Bernardo Silva’s sublime backheel finish gave them a 26th-minute lead.
However, Newcastle, who have now suffered four straight league defeats, turned the game on its head with two goals from Alexander Isak (35) and Anthony Gordon (37) in the space of two minutes and 19 seconds.
It set the stage for De Bruyne’s masterful 25-minute cameo in the second half as City secured a thrilling win which sees them move up to second in the table and pile the pressure on their title rivals as they look to secure a fourth straight Premier League crown.
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How De Bruyne sparked City’s dramatic comeback…
There was no settling into the game for either side. Newcastle were quick out of the traps as Isak latched onto a ball over the top before squaring for Sean Longstaff to convert. Manchester City survived thanks to the offside flag but it proved to be a costly period of play as goalkeeper Ederson picked up an injury after colliding with team-mate Kyle Walker.
The Brazilian goalkeeper, who was eventually replaced by Stefan Ortega, tried to continue but it was a move that almost backfired as his slack pass was closed down by Miguel Almiron. The ball fell kindly for Gordon, who squared to Bruno Guimaraes instead of shooting. However, neither the Brazilian midfielder or Almiron could get a shot away with the goal at their mercy.
Player ratings
Newcastle:Dubravka (7), Trippier (6), Schar (7), Botman (6), Burn (7), Guimaraes (7), Longstaff (6), Miley (6), Almiron (7), Gordon (7), Isak (7).
Subs:Hall (n/a).
Man City: Ederson (n/a), Walker (5), Dias (7), Ake (6), Gvardiol (6), Rodri (8), Kovacic (7), Bernardo Silva (8), Foden (6), Doku (6), Alvarez (5).
Subs: Ortega (6), De Bruyne (8), Bobb (7).
Player of the match: Kevin De Bruyne.
It proved to be a costly miss as City put their wobbly start behind them. The visitors took control of proceedings and Silva was at the heart of it and it was his backheel finish from Walker’s low cross that broke the deadlock to hand Guardiola’s side the lead.
Newcastle were rocking as Manchester City threatened to extend their lead. Silva almost grabbed a second later, but his powerful strike was brilliantly touched onto the crossbar by Dubravka, while the Slovakian goalkeeper also denied Phil Foden at his near post.
However, the momentum of the match quickly changed as Newcastle, from out of nowhere, scored two goals in two minutes and 19 seconds with their first two shots on target. First it was Isak who got in behind City’s high line to gather Bruno Guimaraes first-time ball over the top before curling a fine finish past Ortega and into the far corner.
Lightning struck twice as Dan Burn released Gordon down the left before the winger cut inside and bent a fine finish into almost exactly the same spot as Isak to send St James’ Park into pandemonium.
Manchester City had Newcastle pinned back at the start of the second half. It was a case of defence vs attack as City looked to get back on level terms. However, the clear-cut chances were few and far between for the champions as Newcastle got men behind the ball.
Guardiola reacted by calling for De Bruyne in the 69th minute and he was straight into the action. His first touch was to send a free-kick into the wall, but City recycled possession with the ball lifted back into the box. It dropped kindly for Julian Alvarez, who skied his shot high over the crossbar from eight yards.
Team news
Newcastle: The only change from the win at Sunderland in the FA Cup last weekend was enforced, with Joelinton’s injury ruling him out for the foreseeable future. In came 17-year-old Lewis Miley for the Brazilian in midfield, leaving the hosts’ bench even more stretched than normal. Ben Parkinson, only promoted to the U21s in March, made a Premier League bench for the fifth time this season, though Tino Livramento was absent from the squad with illness.
Man City: The visitors made six changes to the side that beat Huddersfield 5-0 in the FA Cup last weekend. Ederson was back in goal in place of Stefan Ortega, while Kyle Walker came in for the injured Manuel Akanji at right-back and Nathan Ake replaced Sergio Gomez. Meanwhile, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku replaced Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish. Kevin de Bruyne continued his comeback from injury with a place on the bench.
City did finally get back on level terms and it was De Bruyne to the rescue as he collected Rodri’s incisive pass before steering a low shot through the legs of Fabian Schar and past Dubravka with 16 minutes remaining.
Newcastle were holding on for dear life as City pushed for a winner and the final twist on a topsy-turvy game came in stoppage time when Bobb brilliantly controlled De Bruyne’s inch-perfect angled pass and poked past Dubravka to clinch victory.
What’s next?
Newcastle will benefit from a two-week break before their next engagement, which is a trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in the fourth round of the FA Cup on January 27.
They return to Premier League duty on January 30 when travelling to Aston Villa; kick-off 8.15pm.
Manchester City also have FA Cup commitments on January 26, facing Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before a return to Premier League action sees Vincent Kompany’s Burnley travel to the Etihad on January 31; kick-off 7.30m.